VALENTINES FROM THE ROSE GARDEN & A RECIPE FROM THE HEART!
It all started with candy conversation hearts…and a challenge to the Wild Rose garden of writers:
Write a story with a TITLE based on the short candy heart messages. I knew I had to have “HOT STUFF” because of the double meaning. My imagination ran loose with a “hot” rookie cop, a “hot” crime, a redheaded klutz, her autistic brother a cat and a gnome, peaches and a Snickerdoodle pay-off.
“Can a petty crime really lead to an arrest of the Heart?” You bet! Volumes of the stories submitted were put into boxed sets of eBooks this year with
HOT STUFF in good company with 5 other SWEET READS in Volume 4. The set went on sale for gasp… cough…ONLY $3.59
http://bit.ly/2EhQWQb
A SWEET ‘ALTERNATE FACT --If you can picture yourself feasting on chocolate and wine next week—or maybe while frosting your fresh-baked Snickerdoodles, you can always
LISTEN to the audio version of
HOT STUFF now available on Amazon. Audio Newbies can check out the “Hot Stuff” FREE audio sample with just a click.
https://goo.gl/2rycQ9
RECIPE by SPECIAL REQUEST: To all my favorite readers--I send my love and the following favorite cookie recipe from HOT STUFF! "When more than an apology was needed, Gran whipped up a plate of her specialty."
GRANNY’s SNICKERDOODLES 
1 ½ C. sugar 2 t. cream of tartar
1/2 C. softened butter 1 t. baking soda
1/2 C. shortening (lard or margarine) 1/4 t. salt
2 large eggs 1/4 C. sugar mixed with
2 ¾ C. flour cinnamon/sugar or frosting
In large bowl, mix 1 ½ C. sugar, butter, shortening & eggs. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, & salt. Refrigerate Dough til firm, then shape in balls and roll in a sugar/cinnamon mixture. Granny sets them 2 inches apart on parchment-covered Cookie sheet because they like to spread.
Bake at 380 or 400 degrees 8 minutes. Makes 5 doz. regular or 3 doz. GIANT cookies which can be frosted and decorated for Valentine’s Day--unless you're a Snickerdoodle purist and savor them plain.
(Both ways are winners.)
